Minutes - City/Districts Liaison - 2025-01-24t
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MINUTES OF THE CITY/DISTRICTS LIAISON COMMITTEE MEETING
JANUARY 24, 2025
8:00 A.M.
A. CITY/DISTRICTS LIAISON COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Committee Members present
City of Costa Mesa (Cites
John Stephens, Mayor
Mike Buley, Council Member — District 1
Arlis Reynolds, Council Member — District 5
Raja Sethuraman, Public Services Director
Alma Reyes, Deputy City Manager
Cecilia Gallardo-Daly, Assistant City Manager
Dan Stefano, Fire Chief
Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD)
Mike Scheafer, Board President
Bob Ooten, Board Vice President
Arlene Schafer, Board Vice Secretary
Nicole Wiltshire, Board Director
Scott Carroll, General Manager
Mesa Water District (MWD)
Fred Bockmilller, Board Director
Paul Shoenberger, General Manager
Newport -Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD)
Dr. Leah Ersoylu, Board Vice President
Michelle Murphy, Board Clerk
Ashley Anderson, Board Member
Krista Weigand, Board Vice President
Dr. Wesley Smith, Superintendent
Jeff Trader, Assistant Superintendent, Chief Business Officer
Socorro Shiels, Assistant Superintendent, Achievement, Innovation &
Continuous Improvement
Lance Bidnick, Director of Maintenance & Operations
Shelley Humphrey, Director of Transportation
CMSD Staff present
Gina Terraneo, Senior Management Analyst
Noelani Middenway, District Clerk & Public Information Officer
Mark Esquer, District Engineer
Others present
Broc Coward, City of Costa Mesa Community Relations Manager
David Haithcock, Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce President
Michael Tou, Citizens Advisory Committee Vice Chair & District Director for
Assemblywoman Cottie Petri -Norris
Meeting called to order at 8:09 A.M.
B. OPENING ITEMS
1. Call to Order (CMSD)
CMSD Board President, Mike Scheafer, called the meeting to order at
8:09 A.M.
2. Roundtable Introductions
CMSD Board President Scheafer opened roundtable introductions.
MWD's General Manager, Paul Shoenberger and Board Director, Fred
Bockmiller introduced themselves.
NMUSD's Director of Transportation, Shelley Humphrey, Board Member,
Ashely Anderson, Board Vice President, Krista Weigand, Assistant
Superintendent, Socorro Shiels, Superintendent, Dr. Wesley Smith, and
Assistant Superintendent, Jeff Trader introduced themselves.
CMSD's Board Director, Nicole Wiltshire, General Manager, Scott Carroll,
Board Vice President, Bob Ooten, Board President, Michael Scheafer, and
District Engineer, Mark Esquer introduced themselves. CMSD Vice Secretary,
Arlene Schafer, attended the meeting online.
The City's Fire Chief, Dan Stefano, Mayor, John Stephens, Councilmember,
Arlis Reynolds, Councilmember, Mike Buley, Assistant City Manager, Cecilia
Gallardo-Daly, and Public Service Director, Raja Sethuraman, introduced
themselves.
3. Public Comments
CMSD Board President Scheafer opened public comments. Hearing none, he
closed public comments.
C. DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Source Separation Collection Program (CMSD)
General Manager, Scott Carroll, provided report details and discussed
CMSD's Three -Cart System. He provided a handout detailing how to separate
waste.
There was no further discussion.
2. Project #355 — Replace Critical Infrastructure of South Coast Plaza Pump
Station Update (CMSD)
Mr. Carroll introduced the item.
District Engineer, Mark Esquer, explained project details and challenges. He
stated that CMSD experienced a catastrophic failure while attempting to
clean and reline an existing sewer pipe servicing the South Coast Plaza. He
shared CMSD's work plan, project videos and photos, and projected costs. He
stated that the project is expected to be completed by February 22, 2025. He
noted that CMSD has a large upcoming force main project that will result in
major road closures near the Orange County Fairgrounds.
Discussion followed regarding pipe replacement and project contractor, T.E.
Roberts.
There was no further discussion.
3. OCC Recycling Center Update (CMSD)
Mr. Carroll shared that the Orange Coast College (OCC) Recycling Center
opened to the public last Wednesday and is now operated by OC Recycling.
There was no further discussion.
4. Costa Mesa Fire Response & Preparedness (City)
City Fire Chief, Dan Stefano, provided report details on the City's fire
response and preparedness, emergency water supply, and infrastructure.
He shared his background in emergency management and discussed the
sufficiency of the City's fire facilities and assets. He shared that preparations
are in place for the local high hazard fire zones and discussed
communication channels for emergency messaging, such as AlertOC and
social media. He recommended reviewing the code adoption process for
structural fire protection and discussed other proactive approaches for
natural disasters and emergencies.
City Mayor, John Stephens, expressed recognition for Mr. Stefano, the Fire
Department, and the Police Department. He shared that the City will be
hosting town hall meetings to discuss fire protection, public safety, and
emergency preparedness.
Councilmember Arlis Reynolds discussed community preparedness and
outreach.
Councilmember Mike Buley expressed recognition for the Fire Department
and inquired about mutual aid obligations and City resources.
Mr. Stefano discussed the City's mutual aid program and allocation process
for fire protection resources.
MWD Board Director, Fred Bockmiller, discussed the dangers of palm trees
catching fire.
CMSD Board President Scheafer commented on trash truck fires caused by
lithium batteries and truck fire suppression technology.
There was no further discussion.
5. Emergency Preparedness (MWD)
MWD General Manager, Paul Shoenberger, provided a presentation on Mesa
Water's emergency preparedness and fire protection efforts. He shared
information on a November 2016 structural fire in Newport Beach that was
within MWD's service area.
There was no further discussion.
6. Immigration Support (NMUSD)
NMUSD Superintendent, Dr. Wesley Smith, discussed offering an NMUSD
partnership with other agencies for immigration support and resources. He
stated that NMUSD's commitment is that every student is seen, heard,
supported, and safe. He added that every school office will have an
immigration resource table for parents.
Mayor Stephens stated that the City is having a closed session next Tuesday
to discuss this emerging issue. He reported that 36% of Costa Mesa residents
are Latino. He stated that the City is committed to operating legally within
an humanitarian aspect.
Dr. Smith stated that NMUSD does not collect data on a student's
immigration status. He discussed mental health support through NMUSD.
Councilmember Reynolds discussed public safety and resources for at -risk
community members who are less likely to seek support.
Dr. Smith shared that the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs has many
great resources for community members.
There was no further discussion.
7. Support for Fire Victims (NMUSD)
Dr. Smith shared an upcoming event in Newport Beach to support displaced
fire victims and discussed other opportunities for support and donations.
Discussion followed regarding schooling for students experiencing
displacement and relocation.
Mayor Stephens shared that many Costa Mesa hotels offered discounts to
those affected by the recent fires and several Costa Mesa businesses donated
to various charities helping fire victims. He stated that the City is working on
making itself more welcoming and supportive.
Councilmember Reynolds stated that the City can help share NMUSD
resources and information.
There was no further discussion.
8. District & City's Swim Lesson Partnership Initiative (NMUSD)
NMUSD Board Trustee, Ashely Anderson, shared NMUSD's partnership with
other organizations to teach more kids in the community to swim by 7f
grade.
Discussion followed regarding other swim learning opportunities and
aquatic programs and resources.
Chamber of Commerce President, David Haithcock, shared that there are
many businesses at the OC Mix that are looking to channel their resources
to help those in need.
Discussion followed regarding school donation opportunities.
Mayor Stephens shared information about the Costa Mesa Grand Prix.
There was no further discussion.
D. ADJOURNMENT
The next Liaison Committee meeting will be held on April 18, 2025 and
hosted by NMUSD.
CMSD Board President Scheafer adjourned the meeting at 9:48 A.M.
Art Perry
Secretary
Mike Scheafer
President